About Orthodox Christian Fellowship

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. OCF transforms the lives of college students in the United States and Canada by guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship, and education.Learn More About OCFLearn About the Student Leadership Board

Our Mission & Vision

Our vision and mission is to help connect college students to their faith

The vision of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship is to be the loving presence of Christ and the Orthodox Church on college campuses; To be an integral part of students’ spiritual formation by challenging them to explore the Faith; and to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily.

Mission & Purpose

Our goal is to actualize the Orthodox Christian life in the hearts, minds, and souls of college students by facilitating unified campus ministry efforts—reaching Orthodox college students on campuses throughout North America.

OCF does this by working continuously to improve in the areas of leadership training, high school to college transition, and college to parish transition through new and innovative programs as well as partnerships with other organizations in the Orthodox world.

OCF’s programs and partnerships offer an environment for students interested in deeper spiritual experiences. Every year, Real Break, College Conference, and similar events are hosted to enrich the spiritual lives of students These programs stand apart as premier service and educational opportunities available to any college student.

Most importantly, OCF continues to provide a home for students on college campuses across the continent

In 2002, the OCF Student Advisory Board was challenged to find out who was to be the patron saint of our beloved OCF, to watch over the work of our ministry, as well as our beloved students. After much prayer, reflection and discussion, it was revealed to the SAB that OCF’s patron saint would be St. Katherine. The students were moved by prayer and discernment that she was the ideal role model for college-aged young adults. She herself was in her late-teens to early-twenties when she was martyred. She was highly educated and used her knowledge of the Orthodox Christian faith to defend the Orthodox faith, often to those who were much older and considered more educated than she. St. Katherine held firm to the truth of the Orthodox Church through the substance of her convictions. Her firm conviction in the faith, revealed by her words and deeds, converted many to the faith. Thus, it has been revealed that St.Katherine was to be the patron saint of OCF.

Four Pillars of OCF

Student life with OCF Consists of four different Pillars.

Fellowship

Gather together to share in the adventures of college with other Orthodox Christians on campus who share your worldview and values. Your OCF chapter is your home away from home—a community where you will find friends who become family and where you can discover yourtrue identity in Christ.

Education

Learn more about the vibrant Tradition of our Church what it means to live an Orthodox Christian life. Share with others the richness and fullness of the Orthodox Faith as you explore the many facets of Orthodoxy with your OCF chapter.

Worship

Give thanks for the many blessings of your life, call out to God in times of need, and receive the healing sacraments of the Church through prayer and liturgy in your personal life, in your chapter, and in your local parish.

Service

Discover Christ in others by reaching out to the forgotten, the marginalized, and the suffering on campus, in your community, and in the world. Learn how to humbly express
Christ’s sacrificial love.

Who We Are

The Student Leadership Board

Every year, OCF is led by a team of talented students who take on leadership positions in Orthodox campus ministry. The Student Leadership Board works with staff and clergy volunteers to implement the programs of OCF, advise and inspire their peers on campuses, and develop new resources and programs for Orthodox college students.

Evyenia Pyle

Emmalia Godshall

Kassiani Mamalakis

Benjamin Goolsby

F.A.Q’s

Interested in Joining the SLB?

How long does the Board Serve?

Student Leaders begin their term after the announcement of the new board members are made in April. They serve until the new board is annouced.

How is the Board Selected?

Student Leaders are selected by the incoming and outgoing SLB Chairmen and the staff. After the selections are made they are then confirmed by the Board of Directors.

What are the different types of positions?

Students can serve as regional leaders, the leader of College Conference or Real Break, or as media leaders, podcast leaders, publications leaders, and PR leaders.

How do I apply to be a Board Member?

Board Members applications are accepted for the next year thought the end of February/March, There are position specific applications and all applicants are required to submit a reference form form both a spiritual (clergy) and professional reference. For links to the applications and forms click here.

What is the interview process like?

Board Members apply in February/March, and interviews are hosted at the beginning of April.

Who We Are

The OCF Board of Directors

The OCF Board of Directors serves as the governing authority of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Its purpose, on behalf of Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States, is to administer OCF with an emphasis on biblically-based integrity and truthfulness, outward vision, strategic leadership, and conciliarity.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa

Episcopal Overseer

Dn. Alexander Cadman

Chairman

Eva Konstantakos

Vice Chairman of Programs

Nicholas Furris

Vice Chairman of Development

Fr. Anthony Yazge

Treasurer, Antiochian Representative

Natalie Kapeluck-Nixon

Secretary, Ukrainian Representative

Fr. Miles Zdinak

Carpatho Russian Representative

Steven Christoforou

GOA Representative

Andrew Boyd

OCA Representative

Jamil Malone

Elected Member

Nicholas Hathaway

Elected Member

Michelle Torski

Elected Member

Fr. Stephen Vernak

Elected Member

Who We Are

The OCF Staff

The OCF staff manages all OCF activities and works with the Student Leadership Board and the Board of Directors to ensure OCF runs smoothly.